A HERO cash delivery driver tripped up a bank robber, who had threatened to detonate a 'bomb' in the branch, before pinning him on the floor.

Police were called to reports of an attempted robbery at TSB Bank in Derby Street, Daubhill, at around 3.45pm today.

Lee Walsh, a cash delivery driver for G4S, was making a delivery when a man was demanding money inside the bank.

Mr Walsh, aged 46, from Bolton, managed to trip a man up and hold him down before police arrived.

He said: “I walked in and saw this man with his hood up.

"He had a fake bomb under his jumper which he was threatening to set off while demanding money.

“I managed to trip him up and pinned him down until the police arrived.

“He had some sort of device around his wrist with a phone attached."

He added: "I’ve been robbed four times doing the job in 16 years and I just didn’t want him to get away with the money.

“I know the staff in the bank so I’m glad no one was hurt.

“The woman who handed over the money looked shocked and there must have been at least three members of public in there at the time.

“I stopped a shoplifter with a knife in a Tesco once so it’s not the first time I’ve stopped someone getting away with cash.”

The Bolton News:

Gareth Skinner, head of operational risk at G4S cash, praised Mr Walsh’s actions.

He said: “Lee showed remarkable courage today in thwarting this attempted robbery and ensuring the attacker will face justice.

“His presence of mind to secure the cash box he was carrying, tackle the assailant and recover the bank’s money is a tremendous credit to him and we are lucky to have him in our team.

“Our crews play a vital part in delivering cash to bank premises up and down the country and they are a familiar presence at many branches.

“On this occasion, Lee went above and beyond the call of duty and has shown himself to be nothing short of a hero.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police confirmed the incident happened shortly before 3.45pm today.

A TSB spokesperson added: “We can confirm that an incident took place in our Derby Street branch in Bolton this afternoon.

“We are not in a position to go into detail but can confirm that we are working with the police to support their investigations.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting 1317 of 11/7/17 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in custody.